Senate Bill 2782: Kindergartners Must Attend Licensed School

This bill would lower the age at which a child is legally compelled to attend school from 6 to 5. It would also require kindergarten-age students to attend a "licensed" kindergarten program. In practical terms, this bill would prevent most Mississippi parents from homeschooling their kindergarten-age children.

This bill affects all families, including homeschooling families. It expands the state's control over education and infringes on a parent's right to choose to educate their child at home.

HSLDA's Position:

Oppose.

Action Requested:

None at this time

Status:

Died in committee.
See "Bill History" link below.

Background:

While increasing state graduation rates is an admirable goal, notable research from the Brown Center on Education Policy, John Locke Foundation, and Nation Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, consistently find that there is no significant evidence linking high school graduation rates with higher compulsory school attendance ages.